Key will not turn

  • gte105u
  • gte105u's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 54
  • Thanks: 0

Key will not turn

03 Jun 2010 15:56
#373147
I rode to work today, to and from lunch no problem. Trying to leave work and the key will not turn. It turned once but nothing happened. I turned it back to off, then it will not turn to on at all. The key still opens the tank fine. Help please!
1981 KZ550 A2

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • muddy1
  • muddy1's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • 1980 Kz1000 LTD B4
  • Posts: 136
  • Thanks: 0

Re: Key will not turn

03 Jun 2010 16:00
#373148
is the key bent? attempt to make it flat..
1970 SL-70
1972 CB 750
1973 Z1
1976 YZ 125
1976 KZ400
1979 KZ400 LTD
1980 KZ1000 LTD B4
1984 YZ 490
1989 750 Ninja

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • loudhvx
  • loudhvx's Avatar
  • Offline
  • KZr Legend
  • KZr Legend
    Registered
  • Posts: 10864
  • Thanks: 1618

Re: Key will not turn

03 Jun 2010 16:03
#373149
550 tanks are not actually keyed. So if the key is messed up, the tank won't be a good test. However, if you have to get a new lock, you won't have to worry about the tank, just the seat-lock.

To prove it, try a long skinny house key on the tank. It should open.
1981 KZ550 D1 gpz.
Kz550 valve train warning.
Other links.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • gte105u
  • gte105u's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 54
  • Thanks: 0

Re: Key will not turn

03 Jun 2010 16:04
#373150
Key's flat. It worked fine and suddenly will not. Anyone ever heard of that. Sabatoge?
1981 KZ550 A2

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • bountyhunter
  • bountyhunter's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 7245
  • Thanks: 338

Re: Key will not turn

03 Jun 2010 17:12
#373168
gte105u wrote:
Key's flat. It worked fine and suddenly will not. Anyone ever heard of that. Sabatoge?
Try some silicone spray into the lock mechanism.
1979 KZ-750 Twin

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • MFolks
  • MFolks's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 6650
  • Thanks: 541

Re: Key will not turn

03 Jun 2010 18:56
#373233
Original ignition switch? Possible tumbler/spring failure. Only way I know to repair is to replace the switch.
1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • RonKZ650
  • RonKZ650's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 3711
  • Thanks: 247

Re: Key will not turn

03 Jun 2010 19:23
#373248
Same thing happened to me last year and it was the key. Hard to understand how a key works fine one minute and not the next, but that's what happened in my case.
321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • otakar
  • otakar's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 5073
  • Thanks: 29

Re: Key will not turn

03 Jun 2010 19:32
#373253
I have the same problem on my GPz1100 when the lock sits in the rain and is allowed to corrode on the inside. I just use a good light lube like LPS and spray it into the lock and it always works again.
74 Z1-A stock
76 KZ-900 Totaly stock vice MAC pipe
77 KZ-1000A stock
78 Z1-R 100%MINT 500 original Mi.
78 Z1-R Yoshi 1103 kit stage 1 cams Yoshi pipe. Etc
79 KZ-1300 (1400)
80 KZ-1300
81 Scratch built GPz1150R
82 KZ1000

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • gte105u
  • gte105u's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 54
  • Thanks: 0

Re: Key will not turn

03 Jun 2010 20:53
#373272
I am pretty sure it is a bad switch. First turn and nothing happened. Turn back and cannot turn again. Now I cannot turn, and it had not rained at all since the last use. Anyone have any input on how hard it os to replace on an '81 KZ550? Thanks
1981 KZ550 A2

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • gte105u
  • gte105u's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 54
  • Thanks: 0

Re: Key will not turn

05 Jun 2010 08:44
#373627
Found a NOS one with helmet and seat lock for $95. Is that worth it? More than I wanted to spend but NOS does cost more. It will be nice to have all the locks keyed the same too.
1981 KZ550 A2

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Moderators: Street Fighter LTD
Powered by Kunena Forum